"The people in this town are all so beautiful..."
After more than a month of traveling by flying boat, Shen Qingmang and his three disciples arrived in Yangzhou, where Chaohua Palace was located. The map included in the wedding invitation showed that Chaohua Palace was located near this small town. Shen Qingmang decided to let his disciples take a walk around first and get to know the customs and culture of Yangzhou.
Just as Si Rong said, all the men and women walking in the town were good-looking. When Shen Qingmang walked on the street, he felt like he had accidentally walked into a show of celebrities in the entertainment industry.
In addition, the shops on the street are also related to beauty. After walking fifty meters, she saw two rouge shops and three jewelry stores. The air was filled with the fragrance of flowers or powder from time to time. Hao Xin couldn't help but sneeze several times.
"Isn't this place too choking?" He pinched his nose and said dissatisfiedly, "These people should just roll themselves into incense balls."
He tried to avoid passersby, but they didn't intend to avoid him. Soon, someone spotted them and greeted them warmly, "Are you ladies interested in joining the Chaohua Palace? Then you must come to my house. The Jade Eye Pills will brighten your eyes, and the Jade Muscle Pills will rejuvenate your skin. They will help you stand out among your fellow Taoists."
Shen Qingmang became interested. "Why is it that way that one can 'stand out'?"
"Of course it's because..." The waiter approached and saw Shen Qingmang's face clearly, and the smile on his face immediately fell. "Hey, you are naturally beautiful, there is no need to add unnecessary details, so don't tease me."
"Who is naturally beautiful?" A graceful woman walked out of the store and her eyes lit up when she saw Shen Qingmang. "Your honored guest has arrived. Please take a seat."
Shen Qingmang was stunned and subconsciously looked down at himself, but there was no Taichu Sect logo on him.
"How did you recognize...that I was a distinguished guest?"
The woman, presumably the owner of the shop, warmly took her arm and led her inside. "You have a beautiful face, both elegant and intelligent. Just by visiting my humble abode, you'd brighten it up. But is this your husband? He's also handsome and elegant. You two are truly a perfect match."
Gu Suihan had been staring at the woman's hand resting on Shen Qingmang's arm with an unhappy expression, but after hearing her words, his brows relaxed. However, Shen Qingmang couldn't see his expression and said to the woman, "You guessed wrong. These are all my disciples."
"Oh, it's you, Immortal Lord. I'm truly blessed to have the privilege of catching a glimpse of your beauty." The woman let go of his hand and smiled, covering her lips. "I apologize for being rude, Immortal Lord. Please forgive me."
Shen Qingmang's expression was kind. "No problem. We're new to Yangzhou and know nothing about this place, so we'd appreciate your help. May I ask, shopkeeper, why are so many things related to appearance sold in this town?"
"Your Excellency, please call me 'Yan Wan'. The 'Yan Wan' in 'Enjoy yourself this evening, Yan Wan and the good times'. You've asked the right person. I've lived here since I was a child, and my ancestors made their living selling cosmetics and ointments. Thanks to your guidance, I've developed the 'Jade Muscle Pills,' a unique medicine within a ten-mile radius."
"Is that the pill you just mentioned that can rejuvenate the skin?" Si Rong asked curiously, "Can I try one? I also feel that my skin is not white enough."
Yan Wan smiled and said, "Little Immortal, you are round and smooth, delicate and charming. You have your own unique charm and do not need to cater to the common people's gaze. This 'Jade Muscle Pill' is prepared for mortals who wish to join the Chaohua Palace."
"According to you, those who can become disciples of Chaohua Palace all have fair skin?" Shen Qingmang asked.
"Disciples of Chaohua Palace may not have fair skin, but they are definitely beautiful. As the saying goes, 'A white complexion hides a hundred flaws,' and those with fair skin always have a better temperament. However, some people are more beautiful with darker skin. Therefore, I also created the 'Honey Skin Pills,' but their sales are not as good as the 'Jade Skin Pills.'"
Chaohua Palace is actually a world where appearance is everything. Shen Qingmang was shocked and touched his face.
"If you're not in a hurry to leave Yangzhou, you can wait two years to see it when Chaohua Palace selects disciples. I haven't been there, but I've heard from my father-in-law that all the most beautiful men and women in Yangzhou will gather there. It must be a very pleasant sight."
Si Rong grabbed Shen Qingmang's sleeve and shook it. "Master, then we'll stay for two years. Two years is a short time anyway."
"Superficial." Hao Xin snorted.
Shen Qingmang thanked Yan Wan, gave her a gold leaf, and left with his disciples. When they reached a sparsely populated area, he said, "Why wait until the day of accepting disciples? Think about it, if what the shop owner said is true, as soon as we enter Chaohua Palace, won't all we see are beautiful monks?"
"That's right!" Si Rong suddenly realized. "Then let's go!"
"Okay." Shen Qingmang opened the wedding invitation and took a look. He continued walking forward, circled the town again, stopped, pulled Gu Suihan aside, and asked quietly, "Have you been to Chaohua Palace?"
Gu Suihan shook his head. "Not yet. What's wrong, Master?"
Shen Qingmang hesitated for a moment, then unfolded the wedding invitation. "I don't quite understand this map. Shouldn't the Chaohua Palace's mountain gate be somewhere nearby? How come I can't find it after all this wandering?"
Gu Suihan leaned over to take a look and chuckled. "Master, you're holding the picture upside down."
"Ah? Oh oh!" Shen Qingmang slapped his forehead. "From right to left, I really do stupid things when I'm in seclusion!"
She came to the other side of the town and finally found the secret mountain gate. She drew a peony pattern in the air with her hand. With a "ding-ling" sound, the mountain gate opened and the four people were let in.
"Finally, the messy smell is gone." Hao Xin breathed a sigh of relief. "But why is there so much fog around here?"
"'High mountain streams and flowing waters evoke the sound of a zither, while morning dew and spring blossoms are hidden in the mist.' There is always something special about viewing flowers in the mist."
The unfamiliar sound was like a clear stream flowing through a mountain stream, clearing everyone's ears and eyes. A few people looked up and saw someone slowly approaching, parting the clouds and mist.
"Today Miaoran is lucky enough to see the white flowers blooming like snow."
Shen Qingmang was stunned for a moment before smiling and taking a few steps forward. "Thank you, Palace Master, for coming to greet me personally. It's truly an honor for Qiongju."
When she saw the beautiful woman's face in the mist, she sighed again.
The Palace Master of Chaohua Palace, Shuiyue Zhenren Su Miaoran, and Qiongju Zhenren are known as "Bi Yue Qiongzhi", and are the two most beautiful beauties in the world of immortal cultivation. Shen Qingmang, as the saying goes, "A true woman never looks back in the mirror", has long been immune to her own appearance, but when she saw Su Miaoran, she felt a direct impact of her beauty.
She imagined Su Miaoran to be a beautiful peony, but when she saw her in person, she realized that she was actually Shanshan, a lovely peony. Although not as graceful and elegant as a peony, she was more approachable than a peony.
Su Miaoran smiled broadly. "I'm not afraid of Sect Master Qiongju laughing at me. When the new visitor appeared in the mirror just now, those young men in the sect were vying to greet you. Fortunately, Miaoran didn't have to compete with them and was able to see your beautiful face first. But it's not your celestial beauty that attracts me most, Sect Master."
"What is that?" Shen Qingmang asked following her words.
"It's the heart of this beautiful woman who seems affectionate but is actually heartless."
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